Royal Visit Announced for the 2011 Great Yorkshire Show

HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall are to visit the Great Yorkshire Show on Wednesday 13 July, 2011. The Prince of Wales is Patron of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the event.

Bill Cowling, Honorary Show Director said: "We are absolutely delighted with the news, and a programme for their time with us is underway. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for farming and rural life is well known, and their visit will make the show particularly special. We look forward to welcoming them."

Their Royal Highnesses will get an in-depth insight into what is England’s premier show, touring the showground, meeting livestock exhibitors, visitors, as well as staff and stewards.

More than 130,000 visitors are expected to come through the gates for the prestigious showcase of agriculture and country life which runs from Tuesday 12 – Thursday 14 July. Record entries in several of the competitive sections have already been announced with all cattle stalls taken and a waiting list in operation, plus more than 2,000 sheep (a record) and over 2,000 horses competing. This will be the 153rd Great Yorkshire Show.

The show is no stranger to royal visitors. Most recently HRH The Princess Royal was welcomed last year, and Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh spent a day at the event in 2008. The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall last visited the show in 2006.

Historically royal visitors have included HRH Prince Albert who toured the event in 1848, HRH The Duke of York, who later became George VI, and HRH The Duchess of York were guests of honour in 1951, and in 1972, HRH The Duchess of Kent became the Society’s President for the year.